Representatives of the Crab Orchard Chapter of DAR, Diana Benoit, Christy Troyano and Janice Fleenor Smith, participated in the Upper Cumberland Family History and Genealogy Festival in Granville on July 27. The Crossville display included resources available from the Cumberland County Archives, examples CHof ways to preserve family history photos, documents, memorabilia, and audio/video recordings, as well as the chapter’s sponsorship of the Wreaths Across America project intended to place wreaths on the graves of military veterans interred at the Haley Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Crab Orchard. Purchase of a wreath in the name of a veteran, living or dead, allows the placement of a wreath on a veteran’s grave in Crab Orchard, while the name of the honored veteran in whose name the wreath is purchased is included on the Memorial Wall on the Wreaths Across America website.
This is the first year a local cemetery has been made the focus of the wreath laying ceremony. It will be held Dec. 14 with a ceremonial opening and laying of the wreaths. This is the same day that wreaths will be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. If interested in purchase or volunteering to place wreaths, contact Diana Benoit at 317-695-3512. Online purchases may be completed at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TN0401P or at the DAR display to be located in front of Christy’s Pub Grub during the Aug. 2 Friday at the Crossroads event on Main Street, Crossville. Wreaths are $17 each, or three wreaths for $34.